Arthur Mafokate
Encyclopedia
Arthur Mafokate is a South Africa
n kwaito
musician and producer
. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Kwaito music genre.
and his family later moved to nearby Chiawelo, also in Soweto. There Mafokate's dreams of becoming an entertainer and musician began to be realised. As an accomplished dancer, he became a backing dancer for top artists such as Brenda Fassie
, Son of Monwa & Son fame and Johnny Makholi. Through dancing he was able to be closer to his dream of being a musician as it allowed him to get a feel of the atmosphere on stage and to work with established musicians.
," is a derogatory term used mostly in South Africa as a racial slur to refer to black people. In his song, Mafokate protests against the use of the word "kaffir," claiming that his employer (called "baas" or boss) would not like to be referred to as "bobbejaan," or baboon
.
This song is significant, not only as a musical milestone, but also in terms of the lyrics
. The association of kwaito
with gangsters is because kwaito in itself, according to Mafokate, is “all about ghetto music.” However, as the apartheid era was coming to an end, this new song and genre represented a perfect reminder of the atrocities of the past and inspiration for the future, while stamping Mafokate’s reputation as an artist unafraid to stir up controversy or voice his strong opinions.
These words are recurring until the end of the song, while the lyrics are repeated sequentially at various pitches, a common theme of African music. While being banned by a few radio stations, the song caught the imagination of the country’s youth and the EP went on to sell in excess of 150,000 copies and largely influenced the state of kwaito today.
. He is the founder of the 999 Music Record Label, a privately owned company which now produces upcoming artists mostly in the kwaito genre. Mafokate named his newly-formed music label 999 Music, after the house number of his family home in Chiawelo. Some of his productions are Supasta, Bambezela, Doom Sugar, Tall & Slender, Papa Jeff, Pinky Pinky, Aba Shante, New School, Lira, Purity, Speedy, Makhendlas, Brenda Fassie, Scamtho, Helela, Iyaya, Mouze, Ishamel, Mshoza, Zombo, and Stitch. As of 2005
, he was the sole owner of the label. Through hard work and the strong will to succeed, Mafokate was able to succeed as an artist and in building a sustainable independent music label music label. Thus 999 become one of the most established and recognized Music labels in the country and it still is, existing for over 15 years.
music resulted from “the lifting of sanctions in South Africa which provided musicians with easier access to international music tracks and a radical revision of censorship, while the easing political situation allowed for greater freedom of expression. Freedom of expression meant that for the first time, the youth of South Africa could make their voices heard”. Making his voice heard through the song Oyi Oyi, Mafokate hit a particular note with South African audiences “in a year when the competition was strong, indicating his enduring appeal for his hundreds of thousands of fans”. Unlike the often apolitical characteristics of kwaito
music, Mafokate does address the lower class black experience in South Africa in much of his music as is revealed in the lyrics of “Kaffir”. Mafokate describes his success in these words: “I commit myself in everything that I do. Give me a script now to portray a character, for example, and you’ll see my dedication. I’d never claim my looks have anything to do with my success. It’s entirely what comes from within me”.
into a new era. "' The presence of independent companies is a hallmark of kwaito's evolution, signifying, in the case of people like Mafokate... a growing Black economic empowerment within the music industry."' In addition to his economic success he is also unique for helping to broaden kwaito's appeal internationally. "Arthur has begun to have an impact on the overseas marker, with a promotional performance in Spain last year knocking the socks off the sometimes jaded international music."
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
musician and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Kwaito music genre.
Early life
Mafokate was born in Pimville, SowetoSoweto
Soweto is a lower-class-populated urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships...
and his family later moved to nearby Chiawelo, also in Soweto. There Mafokate's dreams of becoming an entertainer and musician began to be realised. As an accomplished dancer, he became a backing dancer for top artists such as Brenda Fassie
Brenda Fassie
Brenda Fassie , was a South African pop singer. She was known for her "outrageousness" and widely considered a voice for disenfranchised blacks during apartheid. She was affectionately known as the Queen of African Pop and her nickname amongst fans was Mabrr.-Biography:Brenda was born in Langa,...
, Son of Monwa & Son fame and Johnny Makholi. Through dancing he was able to be closer to his dream of being a musician as it allowed him to get a feel of the atmosphere on stage and to work with established musicians.
First Kwaito Hit
He is credited with creating the first kwaito hit with his 1995 song "Kaffir". While the song itself is notable musically for spearheading a new genre of music, its lyrics reflect the new freedoms that emerged after the political changes of 1994, including the implementation of a new constitution and democratic election system. The title, "KaffirKaffir (racial term)
The word kaffir, sometimes spelled kaffer or kafir, is an offensive term for a black person, most common in South Africa and other African countries...
," is a derogatory term used mostly in South Africa as a racial slur to refer to black people. In his song, Mafokate protests against the use of the word "kaffir," claiming that his employer (called "baas" or boss) would not like to be referred to as "bobbejaan," or baboon
Baboon
Baboons are African and Arabian Old World monkeys belonging to the genus Papio, part of the subfamily Cercopithecinae. There are five species, which are some of the largest non-hominoid members of the primate order; only the mandrill and the drill are larger...
.
This song is significant, not only as a musical milestone, but also in terms of the lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
. The association of kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
with gangsters is because kwaito in itself, according to Mafokate, is “all about ghetto music.” However, as the apartheid era was coming to an end, this new song and genre represented a perfect reminder of the atrocities of the past and inspiration for the future, while stamping Mafokate’s reputation as an artist unafraid to stir up controversy or voice his strong opinions.
- I don’t come from hell.
- You would not like it if I called you a baboon.
- Even when I try washing up, you still call me a kaffir.
- Boss, don’t call me a kaffir.
These words are recurring until the end of the song, while the lyrics are repeated sequentially at various pitches, a common theme of African music. While being banned by a few radio stations, the song caught the imagination of the country’s youth and the EP went on to sell in excess of 150,000 copies and largely influenced the state of kwaito today.
999 Music Label
Mafokate is labelled the King of Kwaito with the accreditation of being the first initiator and introducer of the genre in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. He is the founder of the 999 Music Record Label, a privately owned company which now produces upcoming artists mostly in the kwaito genre. Mafokate named his newly-formed music label 999 Music, after the house number of his family home in Chiawelo. Some of his productions are Supasta, Bambezela, Doom Sugar, Tall & Slender, Papa Jeff, Pinky Pinky, Aba Shante, New School, Lira, Purity, Speedy, Makhendlas, Brenda Fassie, Scamtho, Helela, Iyaya, Mouze, Ishamel, Mshoza, Zombo, and Stitch. As of 2005
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
, he was the sole owner of the label. Through hard work and the strong will to succeed, Mafokate was able to succeed as an artist and in building a sustainable independent music label music label. Thus 999 become one of the most established and recognized Music labels in the country and it still is, existing for over 15 years.
Awards
Arthur Mafokate, as the King of Kwaito, was recognized for his contribution to this new generation of music at the 2007 FNB South African Music Awards. His victory in the ‘Song of the Year’ category, depicts the peculiar popularity of a music genre which does not analyze the historical black struggle like traditional South African music has often done. The genre of KwaitoKwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
music resulted from “the lifting of sanctions in South Africa which provided musicians with easier access to international music tracks and a radical revision of censorship, while the easing political situation allowed for greater freedom of expression. Freedom of expression meant that for the first time, the youth of South Africa could make their voices heard”. Making his voice heard through the song Oyi Oyi, Mafokate hit a particular note with South African audiences “in a year when the competition was strong, indicating his enduring appeal for his hundreds of thousands of fans”. Unlike the often apolitical characteristics of kwaito
Kwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
music, Mafokate does address the lower class black experience in South Africa in much of his music as is revealed in the lyrics of “Kaffir”. Mafokate describes his success in these words: “I commit myself in everything that I do. Give me a script now to portray a character, for example, and you’ll see my dedication. I’d never claim my looks have anything to do with my success. It’s entirely what comes from within me”.
Significance
Mafokate is particularly significant for breaking economic barriers that hampered South African artists of previous generations. By becoming owner of 999 Records, Mafokate broke economic barriers and helped bring kwaitoKwaito
Kwaito is a music genre that emerged in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 1990s. It is a variant of house music featuring the use of African sounds and samples. Typically at a slower tempo range than other styles of house music, Kwaito often contains catchy melodic and percussive loop samples,...
into a new era. "' The presence of independent companies is a hallmark of kwaito's evolution, signifying, in the case of people like Mafokate... a growing Black economic empowerment within the music industry."' In addition to his economic success he is also unique for helping to broaden kwaito's appeal internationally. "Arthur has begun to have an impact on the overseas marker, with a promotional performance in Spain last year knocking the socks off the sometimes jaded international music."
External links
- Arthut Mafokate on music.org.za